The Girdner Trail combines the very best of Red Rock Country with a scenic
trail winding through dense juniper groves and offering sweeping vistas of
soaring sandstone cliffs, pinnacles, and buttes.
After a mile of hiking, we begin a gentle descent into Dry Creek Canyon
and eventually join an old Jeep road. There will be multiple crossings
(at least 12) of this normally dry creek bed which would likely be impossible
to cross after a heavy rainstorm. So we’ll watch the weather carefully
before attempting this hike and get the latest weather forecast the night
before.
Continue hiking along Dry Creek for another two miles, beneath the shady
canopy of massive Arizona sycamores and cottonwoods lining the creek bed.
After one final creek crossing, the trail begins ascending out of Dry Creek
toward higher ground, with more great vistas along the way.
Several trails branch off to the left or the right from the Girdner Trail as we
continue hiking for another 1.5 miles before finally linking up with Dry Creek
Road, opposite the Vultee Arch junction.
We’ll stop for a lunch and rest break somewhere beneath the shade
of the sycamores and cottonwoods, before reversing course and returning to
the Girdner Trailhead on the same trail.
Required:
• Sturdy hiking boots
• At least 3 liters of water
• Rain poncho
• Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Recommended:
• Lunch or snacks
• Camera

7:00 AM in the
Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park
behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
We’ll leave promptly at 7:15 AM.
With one rest stop along the way at the McDonald’s in Cottonwood
(the one on the east side of 260 and just south of Highway 89A), total drive
time from I-17 & Bell Road to the Girdner Trailhead is about 2.5 hours.
Distance: 204 miles.

drive

•

Take I-17 north to SR 260 (Exit 287).

•

Continue driving NW on SR 260 to Cottonwood.

•

In Cottonwood watch for the McDonald’s on the east side of
260 just south of 89A. We’ll make a quick pit stop here since
there are no restrooms at the trailhead.

•

Drive northeast on 89A for 14 miles to Cultural Park Place at the
stoplight and turn left.

•

Continue driving for roughly 100 yards and watch for dirt parking
lots on both sides of the road.

•

The Girdner Trailhead is located off the parking lot on your right.
Park and begin the hike from here at the large 3-panel trailhead sign.